“The government is deeply saddened by the tragedy caused by the category 5 Tropical Cyclone Pam, which struck Vanuatu from March 13, 2015, leading to loss of lives and widespread destruction of property. The scale of the disaster is growing as basic infrastructure and livelihood has been severely impacted," an External Affairs Ministry release said here.

Apart from an immediate cash assistance of USD 250,000, the government has offered to stand ready to extend any further assistance required by the people of Vanuatu in this hour of need, keeping in view the friendly bilateral relations and also the humanitarian situation, in the wake of the cyclone, it added.

Vanuatu is an Oceanian island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean.